Chapter 97: The Road to Mangekyō

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"Yami-kun, is it really impossible for the village and Uchiha to coexist?"

Shisui posed a question that seemed simple but was deeply complex.

When he spoke, the eyes of Konoha's strongest Uchiha were filled with doubt, as if he was asking Yami, yet also questioning himself.

From confidence at the start, to the hesitation now.

Shisui had personally witnessed the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha clan slowly deteriorate to the brink of armed rebellion, with no chance of reconciliation.

It felt as though everything had been predetermined, leaving him with a deep sense of helplessness.

The reason Shisui sought out Yami while in this state of confusion was to hear what a high-level member of Konoha would think, hoping to find a sliver of hope.

As for why he didn't approach the Third Hokage, although he deeply respected Hiruzen, he understood that the Hokage had become fully consumed by politics.

Shisui and Yami had a teacher-student relationship, and from the incident with Uchiha Izumi, he could tell that Yami had genuine feelings toward Uchiha, not political hostility.

That was the perspective he needed most.

"Coexistence?"

Yami looked up at the moon in the sky. "Shisui-senpai, don't you think that question itself already reveals the root of the problem?"

"Other clans in the village never place themselves on equal footing with Konoha. They're just parts of the village, so the idea of 'coexistence' doesn't apply."

"But the Uchiha always put themselves above the rest, still trapped in the mindset of the Sengoku period, treating Konoha like a rival clan."

"Do you think, with that kind of attitude, the village wouldn't grow hostile?"

Shisui stood frozen, as if struck by lightning.

Yami's words were like a blade that slashed through all the fog in his heart, revealing the harsh truth.

The problem started at the root.

Uchiha never placed themselves in the correct position.

They were never truly equal to Konoha.

Maybe that was the case when Uchiha Madara was still around.

But now, even with powerful dōjutsu, the Uchiha were no longer invincible. They were drowning in past glory, unable to face reality.

"Shisui-senpai, everything you're doing now is in vain."

Yami leapt down from the tree and approached Shisui. "The village won't tolerate an increasingly unstable force, and Uchiha refuses to accept that they need to bow their heads."

"If you can't change both sides, you'll have to choose one. People caught in the middle always get torn apart."

With those words, Yami turned and disappeared into the forest.

Shisui stood there for who knew how long before he finally came back to his senses.

"Change the mind?"

A red glint flashed in Shisui's eyes. His three-tomoe Sharingan began to spin wildly, eventually forming a pinwheel-shaped Mangekyō.

"Yami... you're right."

"If one side changes its mind, the conflict will naturally disappear. Only then can both Uchiha and the village survive."

On the other side, Yami returned to the village and found a secluded spot to dispel the Shadow Clone.

Back at the Shimura residence.

Yami, who had been dozing on the couch, slowly opened his eyes.

A figure flickered in the dark night. Pakura silently appeared by his side, looking at him with concern.

"It's fine. He didn't make a move."

Yami smiled, and Pakura let out a soft breath of relief.

A wise man doesn't stand under a collapsing wall. Knowing that the Sharingan couldn't detect Shadow Clones, Yami had injected 80% of his chakra into one and sent it to meet Shisui.

That way, even if he had fallen under a genjutsu, the instant the clone was dispelled, the altered chakra flow would snap the illusion.

That was the highest level of respect he could show to Kotoamatsukami.

"Can the Uchiha still hold back?"

Pakura had been with Yami for many years and had participated in several Root missions. She understood Konoha's current state well.

"Almost there. Shisui tried to defy fate... but it's a shame he was born in the wrong era."

Yami shook his head in regret. From any angle, Shisui was simply born at the wrong time. Had he arrived a few years earlier or later, things could have turned out differently.

"It's the same in every village. Struggles are inevitable."

Pakura spoke with sarcasm.

Suna had a Kazekage like Rasa who feared talent. Konoha had Hiruzen and the three elders. Kiri was soaked in blood. Iwa drove away two Jinchūriki because of Ōnoki's stubbornness.

People said Kumo was united, but that was only surface-level or a result of internal purging.

Right now, the militant faction of Kumo had crushed the conservatives. The power gap was too great, which was why there was peace.

"Don't overthink it."

Yami relaxed and sank into the soft couch. "No matter how chaotic things get, it won't affect us for now. Just stay by Izumi's side these days to protect her."

"Got it."

Pakura nodded gently.

Among those close to Yami, Kurenai and Yugao were stationed in Anbu long-term. Karin was still a child. Only Uchiha Izumi had a special status and needed special protection.

Returning to his room, Yami began studying the reward he had received from Tsunade.

He wasn't surprised that Tsunade's Senju Physique only reached the "Good" level. After all, the passive talents of Senju Hashirama were techniques Tsunade had spent a lifetime mastering.

The gap was evident at a glance.

Still, the Strength of a Hundred Seal technique was valuable.

Yami had studied chakra-enhanced strength himself and achieved results, but it still couldn't compare to Tsunade's decades of experience.

He roughly estimated that with the same amount of chakra, his burst power would increase by about 50%, and could potentially double with mastery.

Given his ever-growing chakra reserves, battling someone using the Eight Inner Gates would not be out of reach.

With sufficient physical power, genjutsu became far less of a concern.

But as for his own mental defense...

Three-tomoe Sharingan flickered in his eyes. Yami still didn't know when he would awaken Mangekyō. Since unlocking the third tomoe, his pupil power had grown steadily, but hadn't undergone a qualitative leap.

Only Mangekyō could truly counter Mangekyō. That statement wasn't wrong.

Once he had Mangekyō, his fear of Shisui would fade.

"The greatest chance... will be the Night of the Massacre."

The next day.

On the rooftop of the Hokage building.

Sarutobi Hiruzen leaned on the railing, looking off into the distance. Behind him, Uchiha Shisui knelt on one knee.

"I'm deeply saddened by the growing distrust between the Uchiha and the village."

"Hokage-sama, I want to rebuild that trust. Please allow it."

"Shisui, I feel the same."

Hiruzen didn't turn around, but his voice drifted back. "I've always seen Uchiha as part of the village. But some things... can't be prevented. Do you understand?"

"I understand your difficulties, Hokage-sama," Shisui bowed his head. "But I can change the situation. I'll make Uchiha show sincerity and change Clan Leader Fugaku's will."

"Oh? What's your plan?"

"I will use my Mangekyō Sharingan. I'll cast Kotoamatsukami on him and rewrite his will."

A glimmer flashed in Hiruzen's eyes but soon faded into cloudiness.

"Mangekyō... Kotoamatsukami..."

"Shisui, you've obtained an extraordinary ability."

"Your praise is too much, Hokage-sama."

"Go."

Hiruzen suddenly turned and walked into the building. "Do it. I'll take full responsibility, even if you fail."

"Hokage-sama..."

Shisui bowed deeply, his heart filled with emotion.

Half an hour later, Danzō, Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura gathered in the office.

"We should temporarily pause all actions against the Uchiha."

Hiruzen held his pipe, speaking calmly.

"You're soft again?"

Danzō's eyes narrowed in dissatisfaction. "You're giving up at the most critical moment?"

"No. Uchiha Shisui has found another way."

Facing the elders' stares, Hiruzen explained, "He awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and possesses the eye technique Kotoamatsukami, which can rewrite another person's will. He plans to use it on Fugaku."

"What?"

All three were stunned. Danzō even slammed his cane into the floor.

"That's all you need to know. Shisui will act during the next clan meeting, in a few days. Wait patiently."

With that, Hiruzen ignored their reactions, glanced at Danzō, and left.

Danzō remained seated for a while, then silently returned to the Root base. He summoned Yami and got straight to the point.

"I'm going to act against Uchiha Shisui. He..."

"Has awakened Mangekyō?"

Yami asked first.

Danzō paused in surprise, then nodded. "I didn't expect you to know. His technique alters people's thoughts. Be careful and avoid him..."

"Heh, that old man Hiruzen thinks I don't know his schemes? Sharing this intel is just bait. He wants me to strike, then use it as an excuse to punish both of us."

"But I won't play into his hands."

"This has nothing to do with you. Pretend you never heard this. I'll handle it myself."

Yami muttered internally. Danzō and Hiruzen really are full of love and hate. They see through each other, but still play along.

"I understand. Just be careful."

Danzō replied confidently, "Don't worry. Even if it's Mangekyō's illusion, it won't fool me."

Yami understood the trump card. One minute of invincibility, if used properly, could be unexpectedly effective.

But then Danzō shifted the topic, catching Yami off guard.

"Yami, do you want the Sharingan?"

"You mean Shisui's eyes?"

"Yes."

"No thanks."

Yami hadn't expected Danzō to offer him the Mangekyō Sharingan. But he refused without hesitation.

"I admit Uchiha blood is powerful, but no matter how strong, it's not my own."

"Alright."

Danzō felt a little regret but didn't push.

He thought Yami's current strength was already exceptional. Though he hadn't seen Yami fight in years, at twelve, a shinobi had just reached maturity. His future progress was assured.

However, Danzō, who had seen the pinnacle of the shinobi world, knew Yami was still far from reaching that god-like level.

That was why he wanted to give Shisui's eyes to Yami—to help him break through.

But Yami was right.

The Sharingan wasn't easy to transplant.

Unlike Danzō, whose body had been heavily modified to handle it, Yami's body would likely suffer rejection, like Kakashi.

It would be better to research first and pass it on later, perhaps even as a family heirloom.

After Yami left, Danzō began making preparations.

Soon, the day of Shisui's plan arrived.

The meeting was scheduled for the evening. That afternoon, Danzō summoned Shisui.

Not to Root, but to a teahouse at the village's edge.

Though unsure of Danzō's purpose, Shisui only hesitated briefly before arriving.

"Lord Danzō."

Shisui bowed respectfully.

Danzō stood close, the two facing each other at a short distance.

"Uchiha Shisui."

"The Hokage told me about your plan. I have a question."

"Please ask."

"If you cast your eye technique on Fugaku and convince the Uchiha, but the village's stance doesn't change, what will you do?"

"Even if the clan submits, the villagers' prejudice won't vanish easily."

"At that point..."

Danzō's exposed eye widened, radiating pressure. "Would you use Kotoamatsukami on the upper ranks and villagers too, to change their thoughts?"

"Must this world move according to your will? Answer me, Uchiha Shisui!"

Shisui's mind was shaken. Danzō seized the opportunity and struck.

"Your Sharingan belongs to me!"

Buzz—

A three-tomoe Sharingan appeared in Shisui's eyes. He swiftly cast a genjutsu. Danzō's arm froze mid-air, body stiff.

"It's a simple illusion. You'll awaken soon. Please rest, Lord Danzō."

Shisui supported him gently and turned to leave.

But the moment he turned, he was paralyzed.

Danzō's figure vanished and reappeared behind him, slamming a fist into Shisui's abdomen. He followed with a precise combo, seriously injuring Shisui and snatching the right eye's Sharingan.

Shisui clutched his bleeding socket, watching as Danzō unwrapped his bandages and seamlessly implanted the eye.

He finally understood why his genjutsu had failed.

"Izanagi..."

(To be continued.)

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